Mashnouq Acknowledges 'Excessive Use of Force' in Saturday Protests, Vows Restraint

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq acknowledged on Friday that “errors” were committed by the Internal Security Forces in confronting the civilian protests that were held on Saturday.

He said during a press conference: “We recognize that there was an excess use of force at the rallies and those responsible will be held accountable for Saturday's unrest.”

The ISF, army, and parliament guards were the sides that opened fire during the protests, he told reporters.

An investigation will be held in the shooting at the protests and the results will be announced next week, vowed the minister.

Since Sunday, not a single live bullet was shot during the rallies in downtown Beirut, he said, while adding that two civilians and three security forces members are currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the unrest.

“No one should attempt to portray the security forces in an evil light. Mistakes were made on Saturday, but since then they did nothing wrong,” he declared.

“Camera footage can attest that some politically-affiliated thugs got involved in the civilian rally and led it to take a violent turn,” Mashnouq stressed.

On the Saturday's scheduled civil society campaign protests, he said: “I urge maximum restraint among all concerned.”

“We are committed to protecting any citizen who expresses himself through peaceful means,” he added.

“I vow that the security forces will perform their duties to the utmost in protecting the people, protesters, and public property during Saturday's rally,” he stressed.

“I warn of repeated attempts by thugs to exploit the rally in order to vent political frustrations and spite against slain Premier Rafik Hariri,” Mashnouq said in reference to the defamatory slogans that were sprayed at the late PM's grave in downtown Beirut during the protests last weekend.

The parliament police command later issued a statement responding to Mashnouq's accusation: “We did not open fire at protesters and our members were inside the parliament building at the time.”

“We will await the result of the investigation in the unrest,” it added.

Later on Friday, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji stressed the military's commitment to protect rallies and popular gatherings, saying it is an integral part of freedom of expression that is safeguarded by the constitution.

He added however that the army will stand against anyone who seeks to exploit the demonstrations to “violate the lives of citizens and their properties.”

“The army will not allow outlaws to steer the protesters towards security chaos,” he declared while inspecting military posts in the North.

Clashes erupted last week between security forces and protesters from the “You Stink” civil society campaign that were demonstrating against the ongoing waste management crisis in Lebanon.

Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of them in Riad al-Solh square and to stop them from moving towards the nearby Nijmeh Square, leaving scores of protesters injured.

The demonstrators blamed politically-affiliated thugs for veering the rally off its peaceful course.

The trash crisis erupted on July 17 when the Naameh landfill south of Beirut was closed.

“You Stink” is scheduled to hold a new rally in downtown Beirut at 6:00 pm on Saturday.

M.T.

D.A.